I bought a $9 sea bass from Sheng Siong and thought I should do it Thai style – steamed with garlic and lime. Then, I realised that I don’t have such a big lid to go over my wok. Oh no!

The solution? Microwave it. I turned on the steam function. I don’t think a microwave oven can actually steam without producing steam, but it turned out pretty OK. I stuffed a stalk of lemon grass into the fish. Anyway, you should pour any liquid away.

Next, prepare the sauce. Juice from 2 large limes, lots of mashed garlic, Enough water to cover the fish halfway. 5-6 tablespoons of fish sauce, 4 teaspoons of sugar, cut chilli padi. That’s it. Pour in the sauce. There should be enough liquid to look soupy.

I’ve microwaved the fish instead of steaming it. For the second half of the cooking (i.e. with sauce), the microwave oven should come in handy. Just turn it on until the sauce boils. Add chopped parsley. It’s done. Tastes fantastic.

© Chan Joon Yee